Is There a Flight Simulator in Google Maps?
Last updated: 2026-06-23
No — there is no flight simulator in Google Maps. The free flight simulator is part of Google Earth, not Google Maps. Open earth.google.com/web, press Ctrl+Alt+A (Windows) or Cmd+Option+A (Mac), and you can fly a plane over the real world for free.
Open Google Earth to fly →Google Maps vs Google Earth for flying
People often search for a “Google Maps flight simulator” because Maps and Earth look similar, but only Google Earth lets you fly. Here is how the two compare for flight.
| Google Maps | Google Earth | |
|---|---|---|
| Flight simulator | No — not available | Yes — free, built in |
| How to open the sim | Not possible | Ctrl+Alt+A at earth.google.com/web |
| 3D view of the world | Limited 3D in some cities | Full 3D globe and terrain |
| Aircraft | None | Cirrus SR22 and F-16 |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Best for | Directions, navigation, traffic | Flying a plane over real maps |
How to fly in Google Earth instead
- Go to earth.google.com/web in Chrome, Edge, or Firefox.
- Press Ctrl+Alt+A (Windows) or Cmd+Option+A (Mac), or open the menu and choose Start Flight Simulator.
- Pick the SR22 (easier) or F-16 (faster) and a starting airport.
- Click Start Flight and take off.
Frequently asked questions
- Is there a flight simulator in Google Maps?
- No. Google Maps does not have a flight simulator. The free flight simulator is a feature of Google Earth, not Google Maps. To fly a plane, open Google Earth at earth.google.com/web and start the flight simulator there.
- Why do people search for a Google Maps flight simulator?
- Many people mix up Google Maps and Google Earth because both are Google mapping products that show the world. The flying feature only exists in Google Earth, so a 'Google Maps flight simulator' search is really looking for the Google Earth flight simulator.
- How do I fly a plane on Google Maps?
- You cannot fly a plane in Google Maps. Use Google Earth instead: go to earth.google.com/web, press Ctrl+Alt+A (Windows) or Cmd+Option+A (Mac), choose a plane and airport, then click Start Flight.
- What is the difference between Google Maps and Google Earth?
- Google Maps is built for directions, navigation, and local search. Google Earth is built for exploring a 3D model of the whole planet, and it includes extras such as the free flight simulator that Google Maps does not have.
Sources & references
- Fly around the world with the flight simulator — Google Earth Help (official)
- Google Earth on the web — Google
- Google Maps — Google